Sponsor
Andrew S. Biggs
Representative · R-AZ
Representative · R-AZ
The bill protects individual access and choice by barring federal COVID‑19 vaccine mandates and proof requirements, but at the cost of higher public‑health risks, operational strain and legal uncertainty for governments and service providers, and potential financial liabilities for some recipients of federal funds.
All individuals — including federal employees, low‑income people, seniors, and people with disabilities — keep the personal choice not to receive a COVID‑19 vaccine because federal agencies cannot impose a nationwide COVID‑19 vaccination mandate.
People seeking access to federal buildings or federally funded services — including taxpayers, seniors, and those with religious or medical objections — can obtain services or enter facilities without being required to show proof of COVID‑19 vaccination.
Entities that receive covered federal funds face stronger enforcement of nondiscrimination obligations because violations can trigger repayment penalties, creating a tool to protect access for groups who might otherwise be excluded.
Seniors, people with disabilities, healthcare workers, federal employees, patients, and the public face higher COVID‑19 exposure and greater risk of outbreaks, hospitalizations, and staff shortages because agencies and providers cannot require vaccination.
Federal, state, and local governments and service providers may face operational disruptions, higher absenteeism, and legal/regulatory confusion because agencies are limited in setting health requirements and conflicts with state or private mandates could produce litigation and administrative costs.
Hospitals, small businesses, and some government recipients risk large financial liabilities (repayment of federal funds) if found in violation of the prohibition, which could force service cutbacks or financial strain for providers of critical services.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Prevents federal agencies and federally funded entities from requiring COVID‑19 vaccination for access or services and requires violators to repay federal funds.
Official title: To prohibit COVID-19 vaccination mandates, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 3, 2025 by Andrew S. Biggs · Last progress January 3, 2025
Blocks federal agencies and federally funded entities from requiring COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, entry to federal property, or receipt of federally funded services, and requires repayment of federal funds by entities that condition services on vaccination. It broadly prohibits agency rules, federal property and service access requirements, and conditions tied to past COVID‑19 relief or future federal funding.